[13] Good News, vol. 18, no. 12, December 1927

WEST AUSTRALIAN NOTES.

The Lord has been very good to us in the West, giving much encouragement by bringing quite a number into a definite knowledge of sins forgiven and peace with God.

Looking round the meeting last evening one could see five brethren and two sisters who have made the great confession within the last few weeks, while others have also given their hearts to the Lord, and openly confessed Him. The open air work is responsible for the greater part of the success attending the work here, and to God be the glory. Many hear the Word as they pass by, and have testified to one and another of the Band of the good received.

The Lord has also baptised another in the Holy Spirit for which we praise Him. The Saturday evening meetings continue to be very well attended, the Y.M.C.A Upper Room being full every time.

Jesus, as our Healer, is being proved time and again to be "just the same Jesus." Several cases of healing are on record, one in particular being greatly to the glory of God. A sister came down from the country for medical examination, and was assured she would have to be operated upon. Instead, she gave her heart to the Lord, and allowed Him to deal with her case, with the result that she is now returning home, saved and healed, baptised in His death and gloriously happy in Him. Another sister also came from the country, to be given Up by the doctors as incurable and actually then dying. Prayer was made for her, and although taken to the hospital to have her foot amputated, is (to-day, at time of writing) well on the way to recovery, still, with both feet out of the grave, and praising God for His healing virtue which she felt flow right through her very being when prayer was offered and her healing claimed in the mighty name of "Jesus." Again, every bit of the glory be unto His dear Name.

We have settled down in the new headquarters, 191 Murray Street, Perth, and hold the open-airs within a stone's throw of the hall. This is a great advantage. Not only so, but, after the Sunday afternoon Bible classes, all who care to, bring their own tea, and have a real time of fellowship together before the evening meetings. — Pastor.

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AN INTERESTING LETTER.

Victoria Park, W.A., October 30, 1927, The Editor,

"Good News,"

Seven years ago an attack of pneumonic influenza not only laid me aside for three months, but left me with a weakened constitution, so much so, that, two years later, I developed chest trouble in an acute form, that threatened to become chronic. My rest, day and night, was disturbed with violent fits of coughing, followed by a copious discharge of phlegm from my throat.

Frequent "night sweats," and loss of appetite, caused a stone and a half loss in weight, and also caused a loss of strength, and a loss of interest in most of the things of life. During this period I received much medical attention, used many prescriptions, and tried nearly every recommended remedy without arresting the ravages of a complaint that was gradually sapping away my strength, and leaving me merely the shadow of a man. This is a fair description of the state of my health up to Thursday, June 9 last.

Then a Wonderful Change Took Place.

On Friday morning, June 10, I awoke out of an undisturbed sleep, my cough was gone, the discharge from my throat had ceased, and, although I felt weak, I was decidedly better. You ask, how did this change come about? I answer, I know not; one thing I know, whereas I was ill, now I am well. Whilst I do not pretend to be able to explain to you all about the wonderful transition from bad health to good health, I will endeavor to tell the story of my healing. Sometime in May last, a Christian lady, a friend of ours, called to see me during my illness. This friend told me of a good work being done by Evangelists Van Eyk and Buchanan, who had just opened a Mission that was attracting a good deal of attention in Perth, and resulting in many receiving spiritual blessing, and others physical healing. I was interested in what my friend had to say, but, being possessed of a fair share of "Scotch caution," I was not impressed, and gave my reasons for saying so.

[14] Good News, vol. 18, no. 12, December 1927

As an avowed Christian, I believe, I said, that the gift of healing was part of the equipment of those commissioned to preach the Gospel to all the world two thousand years ago; but that this function of the early church had fallen into disuse because it had been superseded by more modern methods of healing which were none the less the work of the All-wise Father. I thought that the discovery of anesthetics, drugs and medicines, and the advancement of medical science was the Great Physician's present-day way of healing disease and relieving human suffering. However, about a week later our friend called again, and was able to report more fully of the splendid work being done in Perth by the Evangelists. This lady was able to tell me of many wonderful cures that had come under her personal observation, and I was strongly urged to attend the meetings, as she felt sure I would be fully restored to my former state of health. I there and then decided to put my preconceived notions aside, and promised to make an effort to attend one of the meetings and see for myself. On June 2 I went to one of the meetings of the Mission, and was so impressed with the clear, evangelical teaching, and the amazing evidences of relief from physical suffering that I saw, that I became an enquirer. I was given a card of instructions, and asked to attend the next Thursday night's meeting, June 9. I went to that meeting fully believing that the Great Physician was both able and willing to heal me, for, having suffered much and spent much on medical treatment without apparent benefit, I now decided to try the Great Physician. I was one of the great company that night, who, "affected with various ills," went forward for healing. Evangelist Van Eyk placed his hands upon my head and prayed that I might be restored to health again. No feeling of thrilling change came over me, as some have claimed to have felt, in fact, I returned to my home without feeling any benefit whatever. Next morning, as I have already related, I awoke from a refreshing sleep, my cough had ceased to trouble, and the receptacle by my bedside, placed there to receive the phlegm, was unused, to the delight of all in the house; and, during the day, the three or four handkerchiefs that were usually called into use each day were no longer required.

These are the plain and unvarnished facts connected with my restoration to normal health, and what makes my restoration the more remarkable is that I have reached the time of life (I am now in my 68th year), when the recuperative powers are not so great. I have purposely delayed giving publicity to the story of my healing for the reason that, in some cases, it is said that the healing was only superficial, and that, in consequence, there has been a recurrence of the old troubles.

Writing as I do now, nearly five months after the event, is surely sufficient test of the permanency and completeness of my cure.

It affords me great pleasure to give this testimony and to express my profound gratitude to my Heavenly Father for His healing grace. I earnestly pray that great grace and power may be upon these two honored servants of God in their Mission of mercy.

Yours sincerely, —JAMES BELL.

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